USA - Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. invites professionals, educators and students in the AEC, landscape and entertainment industries to attend the third annual Vectorworks Design Summit from 18-20 September 2017 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel in MD. The conference includes three days of industry sessions, tech support, networking events and inspiring keynotes, as well as hands-on training opportunities to arm designers with the resources to improve their company’s bottom line. “The Vectorworks Design Summit is the most efficient and cost-effective way to obtain software training,” said Nicole Davison, vice-president of sales at Vectorworks. “Based on feedback from our community of designers, this year’s event boasts even more lab-style training sessions and one-on-one tech support, along with multiple accredited speaki
Germany - After seeing the latest Elation Professional lighting products at Stand F60/61 in Hall 4 at the upcoming Prolight+Sound exhibition in Frankfurt, visitors will be able to see a full complement of Elation products will be featuring at the Musikmesse Center Stage venue, where bands will perform and product demos will take place over the course of the fair. Leading international provider of event and media technology, satis&fy, is supplying the technical equipment for Center Stage, including the sound and lighting equipment, and will be operating the consoles at FOH. The Center Stage presents an excellent opportunity for visitors of Prolight+Sound to see for themselves some of the real-world possibilities with Elation lighting. The Center Stage rig will be mostly made up of Elation lights and will include a complementary mix of 26 Platinum FLX hybrid moving
Germany - Philips Lighting is gearing up for Europe's biggest entertainment technology expo, Prolight + Sound, where it will launch new stage and studio lighting products as well as showcase recent releases. The new products will be incorporated into the lighting design for the stand, which will transform into a stage for a performance from Dutch rock band TOM on Tuesday 4 April between 6pm and 10pm. The group sees a line-up of the original members of popular Dutch group The Marshalls, formed in 1995 (TOM stands for The Original Marshalls), who are well known on the European festival scene, in particular the infamous Zwartecross motorcross festival. New products launching on the Philips Entertainment Lighting stand: Philips Vari-Lite VLZ. The first in a new range of spot, profile and wash luminaires from the iconic product line, the Philips Vari-Lite VLZ utilises
UK - Pearce Hire had good cause to celebrate earlier this month with a winning week at two prestigious industry awards ceremonies. For the third year running, Pearce Hire was shortlisted at the Total Production Awards 2017 for Favourite Power Supply Company and whilst they were unsuccessful in being announced the winner, Pearce Hire was proud to have been nominated, shortlisted, and recognised for their work. Later the same week, Pearce Hire was once more in the spotlight having been shortlisted at the 2017 Event Production Awards for Green Supplier of the Year and Best Temporary Supplier of the Year. These important awards for the live and outdoor events industry saw Pearce Hire crowned winners of the Best Temporary Supplier Award, with a Highly Commended in the Green Supplier of the Year category. “We are extremely proud of our award,” comments Shaun Pearce, MD
Germany - Prolight+Sound sees Alcons Audio previewing two new products for the first time, as well hosting an off-side demonstration and observing its annual tradition of showing its latest development ideas and studies, marking the direction that Alcons product portfolio will be heading in the foreseeable future. The new products being previewed are a wide-dispersion version of the LR28 larger format line array and an extension of the QR24 series, the company’s modular high-output line-source column. In a development which will be of interest to larger live productions and festivals, the 110° horizontal dispersion LR28/110 is designed as an extension of the existing three-way, 80° dispersion LR28/80. Featuring the same faceprint down-fill and components (two 14” woofers, four 6.5” midrange and a RBN1402rsr pro-ribbon driver) on a 110° waveguide, the LR28/110
UK - The European RDM and sACN Developers Conference and Plugfest for 2017 will take place Wednesday 26 through Friday 28 April, in the UK, at Gatwick Manor, London Road at Lowfield Heath, just south of Gatwick Airport. The Developers Conference provides a European forum for manufacturers, designers, consultants and prospective users; and aims to ensure that the adoption of standards achieves the desired levels of interoperability and reliability. Conference sessions will cover the understanding, implementation and use of the published E1.20, E1.37-1 and E137-2 RDM standards. Other projects in the current ESTA Technical Standards Program such as “E1.33 : RDMnet” and the E1.37-5 and E137-4 extensions will also feature. Updates on Art-Net and RDM will also feature. The Plugfest is a hands-on opportunity for product developers to try out their hardware and code
Germany - LEDBlade is presenting its new generation LED strip, visual technology system to Prolight+sound. The system comprises both a straight component, the original LEDBlade Stripe, and the recently launched LEDBlade Curve. Both will be showcased on stand A25 in hall 4. LEDBlade creates depth of space or three-dimensionality; it enhances edges, expands the visual area or links together to create any geometric design. LEDBlade adds extra dynamic to the video design toolkit. LEDBlade Curves and LEDBlade Stripes can be used in any combination together – deployed as an independent visual item or integrated into a complex visual design – to create an impressive and memorable visual experience. For creatives and event designers, LEDBlade offers fast and easy mapping through any media server or projection control device, for a perfect image, on TV or live. Handm
UK - At this year’s Firex exhibition, Baldwin Boxall is looking forward to showing the new VIGIL3 voice alarm products, touchscreen microphone, VIGIL Eclipse4 and the moisture proof disabled toilet alarm kit to visitors to their stand (E140). VIGIL3 is the latest voice alarm offering from the UK manufacturer. The system boasts floating transformerless amplifiers, mains sleep mode, compact battery charger, compact but powerful amplification and an incredible control unit that makes the traditional style voice alarm router redundant. Add this to the new touchscreen microphone and the quality and backup from a well-renowned company and you will have a system that will be future proof for years to come. Each VIGIL3 control module is capable of handling 8 dual circuits – despite its compact size. For larger systems, it is simply a matter of adding further units to the s
Germany - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) will be showcasing some of the latest lighting innovations and related services from its extensive portfolio of over 200 brands, at Prolight+Sound 2017, Frankfurt, Germany, stand B25, Hall 5.0, 4-7 April 2017. Visit the AC-ET bar to enjoy the company's hospitality whilst speaking to representatives from its International Sales Team about the choice of industry-leading and popular-selling brands available for a huge range of applications - including touring, theatre, venues, education, film & TV, corporate and other markets. The company can also supply audio, rigging and video solutions. The stand will feature a selection of Chroma-Q’s recently launched lighting solutions. Products include the new, multi award-winning Color Force II batten range, which features proprietary homogenised optics to provide a superior R
Germany - Clair Brothers is to launch “several unique design innovations” at Prolight + Sound 2017 (Booth 3.1, E37). Following the evolution and success Clair Brothers started with the C15 large format line array cabinet, the company will officially announce the launch of the C12 and C8 line array products. The C12 and C8 are available with Clair True Fit Technology horizontal waveguides custom tailored for any specific venue. The C12 and C8 also feature a new transducer technology that offers two solid benefits. One is significant weight reduction, the other a reduction in amplifier channel requirements. These new features come with zero technical trade-offs. In fact, these features enhance the ability for the line array to be digitally beam-steered in the vertical plane with F.I.R. processing, says the company. The C12, a double 12-inch format line array, and the
UK - PLASA Focus Leeds is back with a stellar line-up of seminar sessions and speakers for this year’s event on 9-10 May at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. The free to attend exhibition is a leading platform for the entertainment industry, offering an opportunity to discover the very latest technology including products from recent international launches. Speakers this year include James Simpson, lighting visualiser at the Royal Opera House, who will be discussing the latest technologies in use at the Royal Opera House, with a look at how some recent projects have been technically achieved. Simpson will also be talking for the first time about an exciting new R&D project being developed at the ROH which uses Augmented Reality technology to create new opportunities for design teams to visualise their ideas – the talk will include a live demonstration. The f
USA - For nearly two decades, ETC’s LDI Student Sponsorship has given students a unique way to gain experience, make connections and launch a career, and to attend the LDI tradeshow with all expenses paid. Applications for this year’s Sponsorship are now available at www.etcconnect.com/LDISponsorship, and due by 9 June 2017. ETC’s LDI Student Sponsorship includes a round trip airfare to the LDI tradeshow, which will be 17-19 November this year, along with hotel accommodation, all meals, a full conference pass, a student reception to meet people in the industry, and exclusive ETC swag. Students in their final year of undergraduate study, graduate students, and students from outside of North America who are studying at equivalent university levels at the time of the LDI show, and who are studying lighting design, theatre technology, stage machinery, or closely related fi
UK – Supporters and trustees of Backup - The Technical Entertainment Charity - gathered in London on Monday evening to help raise the profile of the charity’s new name and logo in entertainment industry. Around 80 guests attended the event, which included live entertainment from Jay Johnson. Backup exists to provide financial support to technical professionals working in live events, theatre, TV and film, helping them to get back on their feet when their lives are disrupted by illness or injury to themselves or to family members. Previously known as Behind The Scenes UK, the charity changed its name to Backup in 2016. Backup’s chairman, John Simpson, welcomed guests to The Hospital Club in London’s Covent Garden, which generously sponsored the event. He reiterated the purpose of the charity by highlighting some of its achievements to date. “We have helped a n
USA - The Long Reach Long Riders (LRLR) celebrated their upcoming ride through Southern California with a raffle and live auction to benefit Behind the Scenes during the USITT Conference in St. Louis last week. Sales of raffle tickets, some key donations, and sales of BTS and LRLR-branded swag raised over $15,000 for the charity. The LRLR 2017 ride, dubbed the Avocado Adventure, starts on 16 June in Escondido, CA. The riders cover all their own expenses so everything they raise goes to the charity. Sponsor a rider today at www.behindthescenescharity.org/lrlr. Festivities led off with the traditional kazoo parade led by Bill Sapsis and USITT executive director David Grindle and many of the LRLR. Following the parade, BTS Pledge-a-Product partners InCord (Orchestra Pit Safety Netting Systems) and ETC (irFR and aRFR application for iOS and Android devices) presented chequ
UK - The Association of Lighting Designers (ALD), in conjunction with Royal Central Research, is hosting an afternoon of talks and panel discussions at Bankside (Central Bankside, Emerson St. SE1 9DU – Saturday 8 April, 2017 – 2pm) to celebrate the warm reception of Nick Moran’s recently published book, The Right Light (Palgrave 2016). The Right Light documents the findings of Royal Central’s Nick Moran’s project, which asked such questions as ‘How do top theatre lighting designers decide what is the right light for each moment of a live performance?’, ‘How much of the process is technical?’, ‘How much craft? And ‘How much art?’ Answers to these questions, gleaned through interviews with 19 leading UK based lighting designers, form the basis data for this fascinating research study. The event, introduced by Peter Mumford, multi-aw
UK - The Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers (ISCE) reports increased attendance and much enthusiasm for its annual exhibition and seminar day, ISCEx 2017, a one-day event held at Coombe Abbey Hotel and Country Park. Open to members and non-members, the ISCEx exhibition and seminar programme was preceded by the Institute’s annual general meeting and networking dinner events, held the previous day. The ISCEx 2017 seminar programme was kicked off by Alberto Fueyo, Acoustic Engineer from AMS Acoustics highlighting the technical considerations required when designing PA/ VA sound systems with digital amplifiers and in particular the expected maximum sound pressure levels (SPL) compared to those traditionally experienced with analogue amplifiers. The second seminar of the day, presented by Dr Peter Mapp, required the drafting of additional seating for a
Germany - To mark the third year running of the Lightconverse and High End Systems Lighting Challenge, and to celebrate the past years' imaginative entries, the organisers have decided to sweeten the pot by adding the brand-new Lightconverse Tools 2017 to the four-level Prize Pool this year. The theme is ‘Inventive and original as always!’. The contest entry deadline is 1 April 2017. The winners will be announced on 6 April at the Prolight+Sound trade show in Frankfurt Germany (Hall 3, Level 0, Booth E90). First prize is the High End HedgeHog 4X console and Lightconverse Trace (with special one year upgrade to Lightconverse Unlimited) plus Lightconverse Tool 2017. Follow this link for full rules and to enter the contest: challenge.lightconverse.com (Jim Evans)
Italy - The tenth Showlight quadrennial, the full speaker programme for which was announced last month, takes place in less than three months (20-23 May) at the Palazzo dei Congressi in Florence, Italy. It is with delight we report that all exhibitor spaces have sold out - we even managed to squeeze in a few more due to popular demand! The latest exhibitors to be welcomed on board are AED, Elation Professional BV, PRG, SGM and Music & Lights. The full list of confirmed exhibitors can be found on the Showlight website at www.showlight.org/it/exhibitor-list Exhibitors are a vital part of Showlight’s winning formula where manufacturers, distributors and lighting practitioners, from all disciplines and levels of expertise, are in the enviable position of being able to discuss ideas in a much closer, mo
UK - Power Logistics has won a competitive tender that sees its contract to deliver comprehensive temporary electrical distribution services and generator provision to several of The Jockey Club’s most prestigious racecourses extended for a further three years. Having already successfully provided electrical distribution services and generators for four and three years respectively, Power Logistics’ track record, high levels of service, investment in equipment and competitive pricing structure have resulted in the contract extension. The contract encompasses generator hire, design, consultancy, installation, maintenance and de-rig for all The Jockey Club’s temporary power requirements. Power Logistics will continue to provide generators, cabling and distribution equipment and lighting solutions to service catering, trading, display and betting areas at many of
Europe - Showlight 2017, the quadrennial lighting symposium, this year hosted in Florence, Italy, is fast approaching. To ensure plenty of time for bookings to be made, the ALD has bestowed bursaries upon three of its professional members. The bursaries, awarded to Ric Mountjoy, Sherry Coenen and Sandy McRobbie, contribute to the costs of attending the event, such as registration, travel and accommodation and encourage those lighting practitioners to attend, who may not otherwise be able to take time out from a busy schedule. Supporting its members for the fourth time in this way, entries for the Showlight Bursary Scheme were judged by members of the executive committee and assessed on the applicants’ reasons for attendance as well as how they intend to report on the event for Focus, the ALD membership magazine. Showlight chairman, John Allen, highlights the
The Netherlands - International creative design practice Painting with Light was commissioned by Panasonic to produce a high-impact multimedia live show for their stand at the 2017 ISE (Integrated Systems Europe) expo at Amsterdam RAI. Painting with Light’s creative director Luc Peumans initiated the idea of simultaneous tracking and projecting onto multiple objects. It was a mission for which no-one could calculate a potential success rate in the confined and frenetic space of an exhibition booth. Panasonic’s Hartmut Kulessa and Thomas Vertommen, both in charge of the Visual Systems Marketing, first asked the question which fired Luc’s love for creative risk and experimentation - setting a trail of events in motion. “Luc’s vision and determination plus the unwavering support from Hartmut and Thomas were real driving forces,” confirms Michael Al Far, Paint
Germany - Technically oriented theatre, film and event careers are wíde-ranging and creative. This is something that the international trade show and conference Stage|Set|Scenery, which will take place from 20-22 June in Berlin, aims to take into account by organising a special programme for young professionals. The reason is a decline in young people learning technical skills, which has led to growing competition on the home and international employment market. This is where Stage|Set|Scenery will seize the opportunity to promote a dialogue between cultural institutions and the employees of the future. Business colleges, universities and other professional training institutions will be represented in Hall 23. They include Akademie der Österreichischen Theatertechnischen Gesellschaft, Berufliche Schule Holz. Farbe. Textil, Beuth Hochschule für Technik in Berlin, DE
USA - Motion control specialist and manufacturer Kinesys will exhibit for the first time in its own right at a US trade show during the three-day USITT 2017 stage expo in St. Louis, Missouri, from 9-11 March. Stand 1404 will focus on two of the leading brand’s most popular product ranges, DigiHoist intelligent motor controllers and the Libra range of load monitoring equipment, as well as highlighting Elevation vari-speed chain hoists which will interest those looking for more advanced automation systems. David Bond of Kinesys USA comments: “The North American market is currently expanding for us and we want to nurture this growth and reach out to more potential buyers, users and specifiers.” He thinks that USITT is an ideal environment for meeting a diverse cross section of industry professionals working in the key sectors of theatre, performance, and the a
UK - Almost 300 Robe lighting fixtures were used to illuminate the 2017 Total Production International (TPi) Awards produced by TPi Magazine and staged at Evolution in Battersea, central London on Monday night. Robe used the opportunity of being in front of the entire industry to launch a brand new lighting fixture - the pixelPATT - featuring seven 30W RGBW LED multi-chips, one in the centre surrounded by a ring of six, housed in a super-slim and lightweight brushed metal frame - which extends Robe’s PATT range of elegant retro-styled light sources. 20 x pixelPATTs graced a spectacular lighting rig designed by Nathan Wan, together with other new fixtures including the Spiider LED wash beam and the Spikie, and favourites like Pointe, ColorStrobe and DL7 range profiles and fresnels. The starting point for the lighting design was the shape of the screen / set crea
